A Guide to Choosing Your Camping Sleeping Bag

Sleeping Bag

Camping is an activity that has grown in popularity over the past several years. Since people were locked inside because of COVID, people became restless and started looking for things to do outdoors — and camping was one of those things.

The number of people camping is growing too. Reports show that an additional 1.5 million households went camping in 2022.

But you won’t have a good time if you can’t sleep soundly during the night. That’s where a reliable sleeping bag helps.

Are you looking for the best sleeping bag for your next camping trip? Read the guide below to learn how to look through your new sleeping bag options and pick the best one for your needs.

Understand the Different Insulation Materials.

There are many types of sleeping bags filled with different materials. Each has different pros and cons that impact how much heat they trap and their comfort level.

Here are the two primary materials to consider when shopping for sleeping bags.

Down Fill

A down fill sleeping bag has a great weight-warmth ratio. This makes them a popular choice for campers who spend time in colder climates and don’t want to freeze during the night. Here are a few benefits of purchasing a sleeping bag with this filling:

• Lighter than synthetic sleeping bags
• Performs well in cold and dry weather
• Usually has a water-resistant treatment
• Compresses well for easy packing
• Holds up well over the years

Synthetic Fill

Synthetic bags use polyester instead of feathers for sleeping bag filling. Polyester fibers require more filling to achieve the same filling as down fills, so it doesn’t have as good of a weight-warmth ratio. However, there are some benefits to consider that make synthetic bags worth buying:

• Less expensive than down-fill bags
• Can insulate when damp
• Ability to dry fast
• Usable for people with allergies

Consider the Shape

The next thing to consider when buying a sleeping bag is the shape of the bag. There are four primary shapes — each with different benefits that make them useful for different people.

The first shape to consider is the rectangle. This is great for people who don’t want to feel cramped. You have plenty of room to spread out without feeling constrained.

The next shape to think about is a semi-rectangle. It’s similar to a standard rectangle in that it provides space to move around, but it also curves around the sides and bottom to create a more snug fit. It’s a great compromise between space and coziness.

Mummy is where things for sleeping bag shapes start changing. This shape is very snug and will constrain your body more. This leads to much more warmth at the expense of space.

Once you get past these three primary shapes, you get to the double bags. These sleeping bags are best for couples who want to sleep together. They are normally rectangular to give both campers space to move around.

Look for Accessories

Many sleeping bags don’t come on their own. Like normal camping accessories and gear, some sleeping bags have companion products that make them a better deal.

Check into the accessories available when you look for sleeping bags. If you want convenience, a storage sack or stuff sack will give you more storage to hold your items. If you aren’t happy with the warmth offered by your sleeping bag, you can purchase a sleeping bag liner to keep you warmer at night.

There are more options depending on the sleeping bag you get, so investigate your options at stores like Gear Fool to discover everything available.

Understand the Temperature Ratings

One of the great things about sleeping bags is you don’t need to make guesses about how warm they keep you. Because outdoor companies want to sell the right products to the right people, they provide as much information as possible to make your decision easier.

One of those things is the temperature rating. They usually have three levels: comfort, warm, and extreme.

The comfort level will work great for summer seasons and hot climates. On the other hand, the extreme rated sleeping bags will be necessary for cold climates that other sleeping bags can’t handle.

Compare Prices

You can find sleeping bags at every price level. You can spend a few bucks if you don’t have many needs and don’t care much about comfort, or you can spend over a hundred dollars and get all the bells and whistles.

Make sure you set a budget and stick to it when comparing prices. Consider your comfort needs, how warm you need to be, and if you want any accessories.

Once you determine what you want, start picking the products that meet those requirements and compare prices. Find a product that offers the best value for what you pay.

Read Consumer Reviews

You shouldn’t just take a company’s word that they have a great sleeping bag. Businesses invest a lot into copywriting, which means their ad copy will be good at convincing you of their sleeping bag’s value.

It pays to hear from other customers to get the whole story. Check out reviews on eCommerce stores online to see what other people say.

Don’t just stick to the company’s website, either. Look for independent reviews on other stores to find unbiased reviews.

Pick Your Next Sleeping Bag Carefully

Having a great sleeping bag is critical for a fun camping trip. Yes, you may be able to line up fun activities during the day. But it’s hard to enjoy yourself if you don’t get enough rest because you aren’t comfortable when you sleep.

Luckily, there are many things to look for when looking at sleeping bags to help you make a more informed choice. Remember the guide above to find a sleeping bag that will leave you well-rested during your camping trip.

Did you find this post helpful and want more advice for other purchases? Check out the other guides on the blog to find more buying advice.